Construction Material

MUD

INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION

Mud as worthy construction material
Due to one man’s persistent, wise, skilful and persuasive
efforts, mud has been restored to its rightful status as
a worthy construction material that can help produce
durable houses and dwellings for both rich and poor.
Architect Laurie Baker spent lonely and long years
perfecting the skills required to build lasting mud
houses.
More people in India today live in
houses constructed out of mud than
out of any other material. Most of these
houses have been built by those who
live in them, with the assistance of
persons skilled in the use of mud as a
building material. INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Elegance without Extravagance
Contrary to popular perception, mud houses are
affordable to all classes and can be designed
to suit different tastes and fancies. They are
environmentally virtuous and can face the
elements with as much hardiness as
supposedly stronger constructions made from
concrete.

For those not yet fixated on the inevitability

of the use of modem materials and on their
much vaunted strength, mud houses can be
a liberating way to meet housing needs,
private and public, without extravagance but
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with elegance
 Mud-house construction

With the designed construction material for durability and recycling ease,
like “mud - house construction“, can dramatically save our natural
resources and reduce energy demand.
The mud – house uses minimal energy, is comfortable year round. The
building is massive construction technique, mainly because of the temperature extremes
and its unique earth – sheltered design. All exposed mud walls are built like a thermos or
burnt earth bottle. A passive air – conditioning system supplies cool air to the house
through these massive mud walls.
Moreover, it is easily to build. Anyone
can create any shape of their own
buildings or community can participate
without constructor payment bills.
The mud – house construction uses only simple
natural materials, which
are any digging soil from the earth mixed with
water and added up with paddy or hay or any
dried fiber or even recycling garbage. That
means our scare natural resources like cement,
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
rocks, metal from the mountains, and wood from
the forests not to be used.
MUD-HOUSE , THAILAND

Mud-house at Satiendhamma- People participation in building mud-

satan,Bangkok, Thailand house, Chiangrai, Thailand

INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION

Traditional mud brick, adobe
architecture, granaries

Pictures of Mali - Segou

INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Mud is the natural building material
Mud is the natural building material, mud is harmonized with all
environments and good for being a passive air-conditioning
system. Thus living in mud-house is comfortable year round. Frugality
and reuse in mud house construction can create tremendous saving in
environmental impact, energy use and capital expenditure.
It can be found mostly in hot-dry and arid area like some parts of
India, Nepal, China, African continent and even in the West Side of
North and South American continent. Mud brick vaults and domes are
common in countries like Iran and Egypt. Many communities in the
north and northeast of Thailand also live-in and build their dwellings
with mud.
All mud-house constructions use just simple local materials, mainly
are soil and water, added up with paddy husky or rice straw or local
fiber weed. The subordinate materials can be anything from garbage
recycling, such as bottles, cans,
newspaper, etc. Besides that, the mudded walls are mostly massive,
which help a year around
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
stabilize temperature inside houses of about 24°c to 26°c. [ 2 ]
 Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

1. Adobe: Sun-dried brick [soil &

water & local fiber materials] bonded
with clay mortar; wall baring system.
Moulds of brick are filled with the right mix of wet
mud. The mould is then removed and the brick
dried in the sun. This is the most popular form of
brick-making since it uses only solar energy,
Bonding sun-dried brick which is free. Recently, developers have
with clay mortar invented a machine which can be used to
produce compressed mud bricks. However, the
machine is quite exhausting to operate as one
must use muscle power to do the compression.
However, the bricks that come out of the
process have a fine smooth finish and walls
using such bricks can take the load of a three-
storeyed
INSPIRATIONhouse
ART & EDUCATION
Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

2. Cob: Fresh lumps of mud [soil &

water & local fiber materials] stacked on
each other; wall baring system

Large lumps of mud are moulded in the shape of

a huge elongated egg, about 6 inches in
diameter and about 12 to 18 inches in size.
Rows of cobs are placed over each other to
make a wall. Gaps and holes are filled and the
wall is slammed down at the sides. Stacking lumps of mud

The cob system is the easiest for those

constructing a mud house for the first time and
no special tools, equipment or moulds are
required.
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Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

3. Wattle and Daub: Woven work

of sticks intertwined with twigs or
bamboo covered with mud; framework
system.

This is used particularly for meeting housing

requirements in areas prone to cyclones or
earthquakes. Wattle is used to form the
structure of the house and mud is used to
Mud covering on daub the walls.
bamboo wattle wall During the rains, the daub may be washed
away but it is easily replaced.
The wattle can withstand any earth tremors.

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 Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

4. Cordwood or
Stone: Left over materials
like slender shoot of a tree or
tiny stone bonded with mud
[soil & sand & paddy husk];
wall-baring system.

Mud plastering over stones and twigs

wall

INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION

Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

5. Rammed Earth: Damp earth

lay between formwork and mould and
compacted by ramming; wall baring
system.
Here, one requires wooden equipment,
because the principal merit of the system is
that the earth is packed hard by ramming,
Compacting mud in the making the walls exceedingly strong.
wall-mould Basically, the process involves two parallel
planks held firmly apart with metal rods and
bolts. Mud is thrown into the space between
the planks and then rammed down with either
a wooden or a metal ramrod. Once a layer is
completed and has hardened, the planks
are released, taken high up and the next layer
is installed
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Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

6. Earthen Bag:
Stacking the sags of damp
earth hooked up with thorn
or barbed wire; wall baring
system.

Mud-houses made of earthen bags in

Mexico

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Construction techniques
Seven types of mud-house construction.

7. Straw-bale: Plastering the bundle

of hay with mud; the structure can be both
skeleton and wall baring system.

Mud plastering overART

INSPIRATION straw-bundle
& EDUCATION wall
Advantage of mud as construction material

1. Environmental impact : To save natural resources

- Using neither cement nor rock (Save our mountains)

Adobe wall making at community Mud-house making

center , Chiangrai , T h a i l a n d over bamboo floor
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

2. Environmental impact : Using just a little wood (Save our forests)

Mud-wall at Janjawa-tai, Mud-wall in Chiangmai,

Chiangrai, Thailand Thailand
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

3. To save building materials - Main materials are soil and water,

mixed to be mud, if the mud is too sticky, we can add up with paddy
husky or rice straw or local fiber weed or bamboo.

Mixing soil with Mud covering on bamboo

water and rice straw wattle wall in Chiangrai
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

4. To save building materials - Subordinate material can be any

garbage for recycling (bottles, cans, newspaper, etc.)

Using cans and bamboo Using bottles for light-gap

pipes for light-gap
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

5. Energy use : · To save energy

- Cool in summer (Inside building temperature is about 24°c to 26°c)

Leelawadee resort in Loei, Thailand Coffee corner at

Satien-dhamma-satan,
Bangkok.
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

6. Energy use : · To save energy

- Warm in winter (Automatic temperature control by passive cooling
system)

Mud-fire-place in
Living area in U.K. farmhouse
farmhouse at Lake District, U.K.
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

7. Capital expenditure : · To save money

- No air – conditioning, no electricity bills

Information
Farmhouse booth at Satien-dhammasatan,
in Lake District, U.K Bangkok, Thailand
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
 Advantage of mud as construction material

8. Long life buildings (Djeme

mosque in Mali, Africa was
built in 13th century, and
Lakeland farmhouse in Lake
District, U.K. has been growing
steadily since 1603)

Lakeland farmhouse, Lake

INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
District, U.K.
IS 13077 : 1991
SELECTION OF CLAY FOR MUD MORTAR
The clay or mixture of clays should preferably conform to
the following mechanical composition % by Weight
.

Grain size analysis shall • Clay 18-22 %

be done in accordance • Silt 40-45 %
With the method given in
IS 2720 (Part 4 ) 1986 • Sand 30-40 %

The total content of clay and silt be preferably

not less than 60 percent by weight.

In case of soils which are more sandy or clayey than the limits
specified above, the same should be blended with more plastic clay
or nonplastic materials as the case may be so as to bring
the mechanical composition within the above specified limits.
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IS 13077 : 1991
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
The durability of masonry mortars
depends upon the volume changes
during the process of setting, hardening
and later due to temperature variations,
moisture movement in the surrounding,
changes in its own moisture content and
the extent to which mortar will internally
accommodate the stresses induced by
these volumetric changes before
yielding.

The compressive and bond strength of mud mortar decreases

with the increase in moisture content in it. The compressive
strength decreases by 0.8 to 1 N/mm
INSPIRATION ART &2EDUCATION
at 6-10 percent moisture
content
IS 13077 : 1991
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
The bond between the mortar and masonry
units if ruptured by the volumetric changes
and the structural movements results not
only in reduction in strength of masonry but
also in formation of channels of seepage of
water and other solutions into the masonry.
This would aggravate the process of
deterioration and affect resistance to
chemical attack in aggressive environment.
• Moisture to the extent of 5 to 8 percent
by weight is likely to penetrate in the mud
mortar even after plastering or pointing the
exposed surface of masonry.
• Basic stress in masonry with bricks of 7 to 10 N/mm2 and 3.5
N/mm2 shall not exceed 0.2 N/mm2 and 0.1 N/mm2, respectively.
• Thickness of mud mortar should not be more than 20 mm in case of
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
brick masonry works and 30 mm in case of stone masonry works.
IS 13077 : 1991
PREPARATION OF MORTAR
The soil for preparation of mud mortar should be processed so as to be
free from gravel coarse sand ( particle size greater than 2 mm ) lime and
kankar particles vegetable matter, etc.
Coarse grit, karkar, etc, if present should be removed by wet sieving.

The sieved clay should be allowed to dry and then blended with plastic clay or a
nonplastic locally available material ( like rice husk, jute waste, wheat husk, etc )
as the case may be, so as to bring the mechanical composition within the limits
Where wet sieving is not necessary, the soil shall be lightly broken up and
wetted. The wet mass shall be tempered over under the feet, repeatedly turned
over big spades and then thoroughly kneaded. The kneaded mass shall than be
left for tempering for at least 24 hours with the soil being preferably covered with
wet gunny bags.
Immediately before use in the masonry a small quantity of the prepared soil
shall be mixed with a further quantity of water to obtain the desired
consistency and workability. The total moisture content of the prepared mortar
shall be in the range of 35 to 40 % by weight of soil.
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IS 13077 : 1991
FIELD TEST OF MUD MORTAR
The soil should be ground to a fine powder and mixed with sufficient
water, added in small quantities. The mix should then be kneaded into a
plastic mass of the required consistency.
Take a handful of the soil prepared AND FORM A BALL OF ABOUT
80MM DIAMETER
Keep the ball in the sun for drying when dried, examine the ball for loss of shape
and surface cracks, if any.
1. If the ball prepared has deformed on drying and crumbles easily
when pressed lightly, it may be inferred that sand content is excessive.
2. If the ball is hard but shows cracks on the surface, then the sand content is
insufficient.
3. If the soil is not found suitable, as inferred above, the test should be
repeated after modifying the composition of the soil, such as by mixing
different proportions of two soils or by addition of sand or clay whichever is
INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
needed, for checking the stability.
IS : 2115 - 1980
Laying MUD PHUSKA in flat roofs
Mud PHUSKA - An insulating medium in roof finish of a layer of
compacted soil underlying another layer of soil mixed with building
material such as cowdung and fibrous reinforcing ingredient such as
wheat straw.

Mud PHUSKA is a common type of insulating course in the roof used

in hot dry regions of the country, such as in the states of Punjab, Uttar
Pradesh and other regions where the rainfall is not heavy.

Its use is cheap, reasonably durable and adds enough thermal insulation for
maintaining relatively comfortable temperature in the interior. In laying the
roof, however, there are several important details of workmanship which, if
neglected, will considerably reduce the efficacy of the roof.

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IS : 2115 - 1980
Protection Against Water Penetration
Mud PHUSKA layer by itself may not be sufficiently waterproof for the roof
and it may be necessary to provide beneath it a waterproofing layer or
membrane to be effective in this respect. Care shall also be exercised while
doing the roof finish work to compact the mud PHUSKA layer to the
maximum density

The slope of the terrace shall be such as to drain off promptly all rain-water
falling on the roof surface well before the water begins to seep through
cracks, if any, into the mud PHUSKA layer. The slope shall not be less
than 1 in 40.
If it is not possible to give all the slope by the mud PHUSKA layer, part of the
slope required for roof drainage may be given in the sub-floor itself.

Rain-water pipes to be provided for roof drainage shall be determined in

accordance with the intensity and duration of the rainfall in the area. The
cross-sectional area of flow of the rain-water pipe shall be not less than
l/5000 of the roof area drained, and the pipe shall in no case be less than
100 mm diameter. INSPIRATION ART & EDUCATION
IS : 2115 - 1980
THE MATERIAL
Soil for Mud PHUSKA - The soil for mud PHUSKA shall be free from gravel
and coarse sand (of particle size greater than 2 mm ),vegetable matter and
fine KANKAR particles. The coarse material shall not exceed 25 percent by
mass. The soil shall also be free from harmful and efflorescent salts.

NOTE 1 -Generally soil suitable for brick making is suitable for mud
PHUSKA also.
NOTE 2 -Soils collected from localities afflicted by white ants may not
be suitable.
NOTE 3 - The above plasticity index will indicate a reasonable cohesive
soil.
Mud plaster : The dry soil shall be reduced to fine powder and mixed with
water in a pit, adding wheat straw 6 percent by mass and cowdung 12
percent by mass. The mixture shall be allowed to rot for a period of not less
than 7 days. During this period, it shall be pugged manually
using spades if necessary to get a homogeneous mass free from lumps
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and clods.
IS : 2115 - 1980
THE MATERIAL
Cut-Back. Bitumen - Cut-back bitumen shall be prepared by adding 20
parts of kerosene oil and 1 part of paraffin wax to 80 parts of 80/100 bitumen
melted on gentle fire. The mixture shall be worked to a homogeneous mass.

NOTE 1 -Generally soil suitable for brick making is suitable for mud
PHUSKA also.
NOTE 2 -Soils collected from localities afflicted by white ants may not
be suitable.
NOTE 3 - The above plasticity index will indicate a reasonable cohesive
soil.
Mud plaster : The dry soil shall be reduced to fine powder and mixed with
water in a pit, adding wheat straw 6 percent by mass and cowdung 12
percent by mass. The mixture shall be allowed to rot for a period of not less
than 7 days. During this period, it shall be pugged manually
using spades if necessary to get a homogeneous mass free from lumps
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and clods.